In a news release, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation Tuesday announced the nominees in the 16 categories for the Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards, the Shuler Hensley Awards.

Seven local schools have been nominated for the honors, which will be handed out during a Tony Awards-style ceremony April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre near Vinings. Forty-seven high schools from 12 counties, representing 14 school districts as well as private schools from throughout the state, participated this year.

The awards honor musical theatre excellence at the high school level. The program is an initiative of the ArtsBridge education program of the foundation, the centre’s fundraising arm. A team of more than 40 Atlanta-based arts professionals evaluated the participating high school productions.

Atlanta International School in Buckhead got 13 nominations, all for “Avenue Q.” The school’s nominees are: Overall Production, Ensemble, Sherry Weeks (Costume Design), Rob Warren (Scenic Design, Technical Execution and Direction), Greg Hucks (Sound Design and Music Direction), Ivanna Martinez (Supporting Actress, for her role as Christmas Eve), Lorenzo Gonzalez-Lamassonne (Supporting Actor, for his role as Rod), Grace Melville (Leading Actress, for her role as Kate Monster), Tristan Litre (Leading Actor Honorable Mention, for his role as Princeton) and Sherry Weeks (Choreography).

Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs received one nomination for “Little Shop of Horrors.” Patrick Denney was nominated for Orchestra Honorable Mention.

Woodward Academy in College Park, which draws students from the area, received one nomination for “Guys & Dolls.” Jake McWhorter was nominated for Featured Performer for his role as Nicely Nicely Johnson.

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